Your Cancun vacation

It's true that tourists fill Cancun and its happening Hotel Zone, but for good reason. Flights are cheap, the beaches are the best this close to U.S. soil and there is plenty of outdoor action. While partying is synonymous with this spring break hot-spot, plenty of quiet, couples-only resorts claim a strip of sand. Families take to the Mayan ruins, water parks and dolphin swims.

With the comforts and commercial temptations of home, Cancun is a good place to get your international feet wet, and between sunning all day and dancing all night, you can sleep on the plane back home.

Orbitz reveals the best of Cancun travel with the best time to go, top 10 attractions and insider gems.

If you find a great deal and can snag a few days off, pack a carry-on and boogie down to Cancun any time. Weather-wise, Cancun has a monopoly on warm sunshine year round. June through November is hurricane season, which peaks in September and October.

You'll find flocks of sun-worshippers at Christmas and Easter, and spring break crowds each March. It's wet and hot from May to November, but prices dip and crowds are few. Cancun regulars swear by January and February for ideal weather.

Mayan ruins in the city

Kids love to climb the remains of a small Mayan settlement at the El Rey ruins, oblivious to its age, dating back to 10th century A.D. Bring fruit and feed the hundreds of sunning iguanas. El Meco is quiet, naturally shaded and tranquil enough for a picnic among the 14 structures or at nearby Isla Blanca, a local beach. Both are a reasonable drive from the Hotel Zone.

El Café

Local journalists relax over breakfast or lunch on the simple terrace at this hideout behind city hall. The coffee is good and strong and the dinner menu is authentic.

L'Escargot

Grab a taxi for a taste of Paris in residential Cancun. The small, family-owned restaurant in a converted house oozes romance over an array of French classics. A tri-lingual staff provides formal service. Dress to the nines and reserve a seat on the terrace.

Neighborhood watering holes with live music

Slip into Roots Jazz Club for late-night beats or El Capucino for live local reggae on Margaritas near Azucenas. Despite its location in Hotel Plaza Kokai, Bar Bohemio El Camarote is a cozy haunt that feels lesser-known with its small stage and decent bands.

The upscale & vibrant All-Inclusive Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa stretches along a quarter mile of Cancuns ecologically recognized white sandy beach. It is an awe-inspiring resort, where style and service come together in gran fashion. Situated in the heart of... More

All-inclusive property with luxurious accommodations and eye-catching sea viewsSecrets The Vine Cancun - Adults Only Luxury All Inclusive is a beachfront resort that caters to adults-only holidaymakers seeking a beach getaway in this side of Cancun, Mexico. Visitors... More

The Ocean Spa Hotel is a 4 stars resort, located on the beach, 20 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from downtown Cancun. Close to shopping malls, restaurants and the main tourist attractions.
This Non Smoking Hotel offers 127 comfortable standard and 27 Spa Deluxe... More

Sun-soaked Cancun all-inclusive with luxury amenities, two poolsThe Riu Palace Las Americas is situated on Cancun's Yucatan peninsula and offers endless ocean views. The property is dotted with palms and fringed by the vibrant waters of the Caribbean Sea. All-inclusive... More

Celeb-chef restaurants at exclusive beachfront getaway in Cancun The Live Aqua Cancun is a 371-room, nine-floor oasis on the Yucatan Peninsula. The resort has Mayan-inspired architecture with modern touches. The haute regional cuisine, exotic dining venues, posh... More

Beachfront hotel in Cancun with private golf courseIberostar Cancun - All inclusive invites travelers and beach holidaymakers to luxurious beachfront accommodations while in a beach vacation in the tourist area of Cancun, southeastern Mexico. Guests at this... More

Grand Cancun resort in unparalleled location with top-tier amenitiesThe majestic Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach is a member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels® & Resorts.The resort is set on the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean Sea within the... More

* Prices reflect the lowest "base rate" found over the next 30 days. Rates are subject to change and may not include taxes and fees, hotel service charges, extra person charges, or incidentals, such as room service. All rates are displayed in USD unless otherwise noted. Converted rates are provided for your convenience. They are based on today's exchange rate, but the hotel will charge you in the local currency.

Promo Code Terms and Conditions

150VACA Book a qualifying 4-night flight + hotel vacation package between January 1, 2014 12:00AM CST and March 31, 2015 11:59PM CST, for $1000 or more for travel between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 via Orbitz and instantly receive $150 off the hotel portion of your booking through the use of the promotion code. Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Promotion codes cannot be resold. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. Promo code not valid for Las Vegas, NV bookings.

Dolphins

Swim or interact with some of the most brilliant mammals on the planet that happen to look like big, friendly fish. Kids of all ages love dolphin kisses, hugs and handshakes. Dolphinaris and Dolphin Discovery are among the top-ranked venues.

Mayan ruins

Take a day trip to see a few pages out of the history books. Drive 80 miles south to Tulum where cliff-top ruins overlook the blue sea. Head inland to scale Mayan pyramids in the middle of the jungle at Coba. At Chichen Itza, get lost in a mix of pre-Columbian architecture, from temples to the Great Ball Court.

All-inclusive resorts

Keep your wallet north of the border. All-inclusive resorts serve up a hassle-free Cancun vacation and most include food, snacks, drinks and non-motorized water sports. Check out the nightlife scene and choose one that will satisfy after the sun goes down. Resorts range from family-friendly to couples-only to dens for the single-and-looking.

Coco Bongo

It's Vegas gone wild at Coco Bongo, where throngs of nightlife thrill-seekers pile in for club music, aerial shows and confetti showers. A younger crowd goes dancing and drinking at Senor Frog's. For dinner with your dance moves, try Carlos and Charlie's.

Mexican cooking classes

One day with Chef Claudia of Can Cook in Cancun and you'll be dangerous with the habaneros for life. Part hands-on cooking class, part history and gastronomy lesson, plus sangria-infused lunch with new friends, the class sends participants off with recipes, an apron and serious know-how for whipping up home-style Mexican cuisine.

Xel-ha, Xplor and Xcaret

Not to worry: This triplet of X-named theme parks are completely family-friendly. An hour south of Cancun, fill up on adventure from snorkeling to zip lines between three outdoor ecological parks. Or, keep it local on the water slides at Wet'N Wild.

Playa del Carmen

Sample a fresh scene an hour south of town. No longer a sleepy little fishing village, PDC (or "Playa") rivals Cancun with shopping, dining and nightlife on a smaller scale with more local flavor, all set along car-free 5th Avenue.

La Habichuela restaurant

Since 1977, this family-owned restaurant with a Mayan theme has charmed guests with a romantic walled garden and Caribbean-style seafood.

Shopping

Set on a lagoon, La Isla Shopping Mall combines a trendy, chain mall with local establishments and an aquarium. Canals and small bridges top off the Venetian-inspired setting. Downtown flea market Mercado 28 brims with silver jewelry, Mexican handcrafts and souvenirs on the cheap.